Elizabeth Walker, third-grade teacher at Davenport A+ Elementary School, was awarded the Crystal Apple Award sponsored by School Specialty Inc., a distributor of school supplies, furniture, technology products, supplemental learning products, and curriculum solutions. She was presented the Crystal Apple Award today at school for “going above and beyond” in the classroom. 

Davenport A+ Assistant Principal Tracy Harris nominated Walker for demonstrating outstanding qualities in the teaching profession. Qualifications for the award included a teacher who embodied inspiration, leadership, and passion. 

Walker thinks that one of the areas that stood out in her nomination was science. “We put on a flipped classroom Space Day based on our Module 2 unit of Wit & Wisdom, and read all about Apollo 11, Galileo, and the experiences of being an astronaut,” Walker said. “Our whole (3rd grade) team dressed up to get into character. Students in my room used my personal VR (virtual reality) headset to be space explorers. They got to experience riding in a spaceship and getting to orbit around Earth and the Moon.”

After thousands of votes were cast, Elizabeth Walker’s nomination ranked in the Top 3 in the nation. She received a Crystal Apple Award and a $500 merchandise certificate from School Specialty. Davenport A+ received a $250 merchandise certificate.

Walker said that her students mean so much to her. “I had so many wonderful teachers growing up in Caldwell County Schools, and I am so honored to be a direct influence on future generations.”